Sock with ankle straps

ABSTRACT

There is provided a sock for a foot comprising: a sole; a heel portion attached to the sole; a toe covering attached to the sole; two side portions attached to the sole, each side portion connecting the heel portion to the toe covering and ending at a level lower than an ankle of the foot; and two straps, each attached at the heel portion. The heel portion may be reinforced. The sock provides a cost-effective way for people to dress up their existing shoe collection. The sock may resemble a standard sock that has two straps, such as but not limited to ribbons, that can wrap around a foot and tie at the front below the ankle bone. Embodiments of the socks may come in a variety of materials, colors, patterns and sizes. Also, in some embodiments, the sock includes a reinforced heel section that can prevent blisters and friction between the foot and the shoe.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent application 61/681,287 filed Aug. 8, 2012 and claims priority from Canadian Patent Application No. 2,809,939 filed Mar. 20, 2013.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates to a sock with ankle straps or ribbons.

BACKGROUND

Shoes that are worn without socks can wreak havoc on the feet. A user's sweat may make the shoe's colors bleed into the skin, and the back of the shoe may rub against the back of the foot, creating uncomfortable blisters. Even when a user wears socks, they typically do not match the other elements of the user's outfit.

Socks have been designed to cover a foot without showing above a shoe. These socks are known as footlets, ankle socks and liner socks. A problem with many of such sock is that they slip off the user's feet. Additionally, portions of the sock may still be visible when worn in some shoes.

A stylish and cost-effective sock is needed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 is a sketch of a sock according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure with straps;

FIGS. 3 to 6 are sketches showing how the ribbons are tied according to example embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a sketch of a foot wearing a sock according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure inside a shoe;

FIG. 8 is a sketch of a sock according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure with a reinforced heel; and

FIG. 9 is a sketch a a sketch of a sock according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be practiced. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a sock for a foot comprising:

a sole; a heel portion attached to the sole; a toe covering attached to the sole; two side portions attached to the sole, each side portion connecting the heel portion to the toe covering and ending at a level lower than an ankle of the foot; and two straps, each attached at the heel portion.

In an embodiment the heel portion is reinforced.

The socks described herein provide a cost-effective way for people to dress up their existing shoe collection. The sock may resemble a standard sock that has two straps, such as but not limited to ribbons, that can wrap around a foot and tie at the front below the ankle bone. Embodiments of the socks may come in a variety of materials, colors, patterns and sizes. Also, in some embodiments, the sock includes a reinforced heel section that can prevent blisters and friction between the foot and the shoe. Any person who wants an easy way to customize their flat shoes may appreciate this innovative item.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 a sock 100 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described. The sock 100 comprises a sole 110, a heel portion 120, a toe covering 130, two side portions 140, and two straps 150. The heel portion 120, the toe covering 130 and the two side portions 140 are attached to the sole 110. Each side portion 140 connects the heel portion to the toe covering 130. Each of the two straps 150 are attached at the heel portion 120. 8. In some embodiments, the two straps attach to a center point of the heel portion. In some embodiments, each of the two straps attaches to the heel portion and one of the two side portions.

Referring to FIG. 3, the sock 100 can be slipped over a foot 300. In a preferred embodiment, the side portions are below the ankle 310. The straps 150 fall at the back of the foot until attached. Referring to FIG. 4, to attach the straps 150, each strap is extended toward the front of the foot and attached to each other. In some embodiments, the straps are tied, for example in a bow. In embodiment shown in FIG. 4 the straps attach at the back of the foot and wrap around below the ankles. Referring to FIG. 5, in another embodiment, the straps attach to the heel portion and to the side portions 140. In some embodiments, the parts of the side portions 140 to which the straps attach are below the ankle 310 in use. In some embodiments, such as shown in FIG. 6, the straps extend over at least a portion of the ankle bones. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the straps extend up from the sides over the ankle bone. In other embodiments (not shown) with the straps attached at the center point of the heel portion, the heel portion may be high enough to allow the straps to extend around at the ankle bone.

Once the foot 300 with the sock 100 in place is put in a shoe, the sock is usually not visible, as shown in FIG. 7.

In some embodiments, the combined length of the straps 150 is long enough to wrap around a leg attached to the foot. In some embodiments the two straps are of equal length.

In some embodiments, in use the toe covering 130 ends at or before a metatarsal joint of the foot.

In some embodiments, in use the side portions 140 end at a level lower than an ankle 310 of the foot 300.

In some embodiments, the straps 150 are constructed from ribbon. In some embodiments, the straps 150 are constructed from a same material as the sock.

In some embodiments, the combined length of the straps 150 is long enough to wrap around the foot two or more times.

Referring to FIG. 8, in some embodiments, the heel portion 120 is reinforced. For example, a panel or extra layer 160 can be added. In some embodiments, heel portion 120 is reinforced with double-lined nylon.

Referring to FIG. 9, in another embodiment, the straps 150 comprise a single strip of material that extends under and is attached to the sole of the sock at the heel. The portion of the straps that extends under the sock provides extra cushioning for the heel of the sock.

In some embodiments, the sock is constructed from an elastic material. In some embodiments, the sock is constructed from nylon. In some embodiments the sock is constructed from cotton. In other embodiments, the sock is constructed from a blend of materials. In some embodiments, the straps 150 have a pattern printed thereon. In some embodiments, straps 150 are a different colour from other portions of the sock.

The socks disclosed herein allow users to incorporate their socks into their outfit. The socks in some embodiments comprise a pair of socks made out of thin nylon. In some embodiments, each sock measures about 5 ½″ long, 3 ½″ wide, with a lengthwise diameter of 4 ½″ and a width-wise diameter of 1½″. It is to be understood that other sizes are possible. The sock can be made to accommodate any size foot. In some embodiments, a heel portion is reinforced with a thicker piece of nylon. This reinforced section helps to reduce friction that causes painful blisters. In some embodiments, two pieces of ribbon measuring about 5½″ long and 3″ wide may start at the back of the sock and tie at front of the foot below the ankle bone.

The sock and the ribbon may come in a variety of colors and patterns, so that the same pair of shoes may have a different look, depending on the style of the sock underneath. The sock may also include a letter, such as the letter “S”, embroidered on the top of each sock. In some embodiments, the letter is embroidered in red. The exact specifications, materials used, and method of use of the socks may vary upon manufacturing.

What has been described above includes examples of the disclosed architecture. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components and/or methodologies, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations are possible. Accordingly, the novel architecture is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

1. A sock for a foot comprising: a sole; a heel portion attached to the sole; a toe covering attached to the sole; two side portions attached to the sole, each side portion connecting the heel portion to the toe covering; and two straps, each attached at the heel portion.
 2. The sock according to claim 1 wherein the combined length of the straps being long enough to wrap around a leg attached to the foot.
 3. The sock according to claim 1 herein in use the toe covering ends at or before a metatarsal joint of the foot.
 4. The sock according to claim 1 wherein in use the side portions end at a level below an ankle of the foot.
 5. The sock according to claim 1 wherein the straps are constructed from ribbon.
 6. The sock according to claim 1 wherein the straps are constructed from a same material as the sock.
 7. The sock according to claim 1 wherein the two straps are of equal length.
 8. The sock according to claim 1 wherein the two straps attach to a center point of the heel portion.
 9. The sock according to claim 1 wherein each of the two straps attaches to the heel portion and one of the two side portions.
 10. The sock according to claim 1 wherein the combined length of the straps is long enough to wrap around the foot two or more times.
 11. The sock according to claim 1 wherein the heel portion is reinforced.
 12. The sock according to claim 11 wherein the heel portion is reinforced with double-lined nylon.
 13. The sock according to claim 1 constructed from an elastic material.
 14. The sock according to claim 1 constructed from nylon.
 15. The sock according to claim 1 wherein the straps have a pattern printed thereon.
 16. The sock according to claim 1 wherein the straps are a different colour from other portions of the sock.
 17. The sock according to claim 1, wherein the two straps comprise a single strip of material extending under and attached to the sole at an end adjacent to the heel portion. 